Robin F***king Black!

Glammer Robin Black gushes about his new band, his inspirations, and how he wouldn't mind makin' out with a dude...that's why we love him!

1) How, when, where and why did Robin Black and the Intergalactic Rock Stars form?

I moved to Toronto in 1998, and found 4 like-minded glam rockers.... we started playing in late '98. We just wanted to be the kind of flashy, good time, exciting band that you just never saw any more.

2) Do you still perform with the boys? Why/Why not?

I still play with "Starboy" Chris Cunnane, the last original member. I have a great new band coming together to tour Canada this spring and the UK this summer. Over time, being in a band is like being married to 5 men of questionable hygiene; you develop different goals in your life. I really appreciate everyone I've played with before.

3) In the song "More Effeminate Than You," do you feel that the message is misrepresented in the heterosexual sense or do you not mind how your fans interpret it? To be honest, as a gay man, I thought you were singing about being more of a queen than your supposed boyfriend and absolutely loved the message of "take me as I am!"

I think it's cool that you see it that way. It was used in the first episode of the North American version of "Queer as Folk" at the moment when the kid (Justin) was outed at school, with "faggot" spray painted on his (Brian's) Jeep. It was very powerful, and I was very moved how they used it. The way you viewed it, as a gay man, is exactly how most straights view it.... that you are more "femmy" than your partner ... for straight guys, it's about being femmier than their girlfriend ... Actually, Starboy wrote most of the lyrics and I usually want to write my own lyrics for his songs, but those were so powerful, and I loved the sentiment, so I just added some of my own...

4) Do you get labeled as "gay" or "bi" at all because of the way you dress and act?

I've been called "gay" thousands of times. I happen to be a (mostly) straight guy who wears make-up and nail polish and dresses flashy... Rednecks and idiots use the term "gay" as an insult, but I sure as fuck don't take it as an insult.

5) Have you ever had a hot experience with a member of the same sex? Who was it with? Do you regret it? Would you do it again?

There have, in the past, been alchohol-fueled evenings where many people were naked in the same room/bed. You often wondered whose hand was where, etc. I remember, in flashes, a guy watching me roger his wife once. Man, crazy times. But, I haven't had the man on man experience. I'm pretty into girls. I can't help it. I was born that way. But I wouldn't rule it out.

6) Please give an average Joe some fashion tips as to how to achieve your look on a regular basis: Glam rock is about cool clothes and hair, eye make-up, etc, but it is, most importantly, about expressing yourself freely. DO YOUR THING! That's my tip.

7) How's the marriage going? How'd you meet your blushing rocker-bride? Any kiddies in the future?

Marriage is tough. I've been married before. Didn't work out. We are actually going through a turbulent time. I am a very driven guy who always puts my career (the entertainment business) and my dreams first. It's not super conducive to great relationships. I am also a hopeless romantic.

8) Please give advice to anyone in the GLBT community who is struggling with who they truly are:

It's tough to be different, but living your life the way you want, instead of by others rules, is worth it no matter how hard it is. Fuck, think of the alternative. DECIDE that you will not spend your years here living for other peoples expectations. Wake up every day and celebrate who you are.

9) Who's your biggest inspiration in the wonderful world of music and glam rock? Is David Bowie aka Ziggy Stardust one of them?

I love Bowie, I love T. Rex. As a kid, I wanted to be just like Billy Idol.

10) Comment on how you thought Velvet Goldmine represented the glam rock era? If you didn't see it, what movie correctly portrays the genre that you perform in?

I loved the look, I loved the music. I thought it really, really felt like the gendre-fucked drug-fueled glam rock days that I imagine in the 70's. I fucking LOVE Hedwig. And Phantom of the Paradise.

11) What does Robin Fucking Black have planned for the future?

I am developing a TV series right now, Writing a new record. Touring canada this year. Touring the UK and Germany in August. I am also fighting my first professional Cage Fight in Ottawa, Ontario on July 26th. Don't ask. ;) Just hoping to keep life an adventure!

-interview conducted by giuseppe - please note all content is copyright material -